The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-08
HE MAY BE INNOCENT.
Discharged Convict Says Man Sentenced
for Murder Is GuiItless.

for Murder Is Guiltless.
Louisville Courier journal.
William Hancock, of Decatur county, Indiana,
completed two-years sentence at Jefferson
vile for assault with intent to commit rape. and
was released yesterday morning Before leav-
ing the institution, Hancock made a staten emit
which. if true, undoubtedly establishes the fact
that at least one man is wearing the stripes of a
convict who is innocent of the crime he is
charged with. This person is William W. Ken
nedy, who is doing lifetime service for MUIR
der committed IN the same county from where
Hancock came.
Kennedy's home is in Cincinnati, and his oc.
cupation was that of professional pickpocket
During the presidential campaign of 1884, Ken
nedy, with number of other persons Of his
character, followed Gen. John A. Logan around
the country for the purpose of picking pockets
into the different towns and cities where the
candidate for Vice-president to deliver a
speech. Toward the latter part of October a
monster meeting was arranged to be held at
Greensburg, which is the thriving county-seat
OF Decatur county, Indiana. General Logan
was to be the attraction of the day, and the train
that carried him into the town also brought
Kennedy and his companions. These were all
hue-look1ne men, and we'll dressed.
The day being somewhat chilly, kennedy was
attired in fancy light-colored coat, and this is
what placed him behind the bars. as the garment
was the chief means of Identification. The
crowd in the town was enormous and the pick
pockets were reaping a harvest off the Hoosiers.
Along in the evening, tho cry of pickpocket was
raised. and the party supposed to be the thief
had been relieved of his wallet. The thief had
reached the edge of the gathering and WAS in
the act of being captured when he turned upon
his follower and shot him dead. The slayer had
light overcoat Before Kennedy could
leave Greenshurg he was placed under arrest
and identified by several on account of the coat
When the case came to trial, nearly all the evil
dence was circumstantial. but was enough to
send the accused to the Indiana State Prison
South for the remainder of lis life
Hancock's story is. that he is willing to make
affidavit that Kennedy is entirely innocent Of
the crime and that he knows who the real
criminal is. He claims TO have seen the shot
fred, and the only resemblance between the
real culprit and Kennedy was the white over
coat which each wore.
During Kennedys confinement there has been
the strongest pressure brought to bear upon
Governor Gray to pardon him. The sheriff of
the county is one of the supposed illegally con-
victed mans warmest friends. and has done
everything in his power to have him released.
Many people in the county believe the wrong
man Is in the penitentary. and there is a strong
hope existing that the day will come before many
years. when the executive clemency will
be extended. The mother OF Kennedy has been
particularly faithful to her son. and cannot be
made to believe that he is guilty. She often
visits him, and is lady of refinement. Her
homo Is still in Cincinnati. Whenever she